The Franklin Delano Roosevelt High School graduate was popular and passionate about art, but with an IQ of 87, the autistic teen also was vulnerable.

“He had many friends, he was kind, funny, caring, generous gentle and creative, he was an artist, and had compassion for all living things,” said his mom, Gae Marie Cannon.

But, on July 31, the 19-year-old committed suicide.

'Victim under the law'

His mother said he was distraught over a crime he did not commit.

A woman from his high school approached Bailey about cashing a check that turned out to be fraudulent, Cannon said. Bailey provided his bank card, pin number and cashed the fake check.

Cannon said she noticed the strange activity in the account and connected with local police. Within hours of the last interview with police, Bailey killed himself less than a block away from the family’s home, his mother said.

“He seriously thought he had done something wrong, he didn’t understand he was a victim under the law,” Cannon said.

Adding to her pain, the charges against the individuals who took advantage of Bailey included minimal counts of endangerment of an incompetent person and grand larceny both non-violent felony charges. The punishment was too light, she said.

“There’s a gap in the law,” said Cannon, noting that in most cases perpetrators get probation for such crimes.

A mother’s fight

Cannon is looking to change that with Bailey’s Law, a bill that would increase the penalties to those who endanger the disabled or vulnerable, including the elderly, when it significantly contributes to a victim’s suicide attempt. Cannon said she hopes the bill, inspired by her son, will help all New Yorkers.

She approached elected officials including Sen. Sue Serino, R-Hyde Park, Assemblywoman Didi Barrett and County Executive Marc Molinaro about the bill. She came with nearly 7,000 signatures along with the strong backing of family including Bailey’s father, Dave Bates, friends and organizations that focus on handicapped adults.

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Gae Marie Cannon is pushing for Bailey's Law, which would increase penalties for endangering the welfare of a disabled person or vulnerable elderly person, when it significantly contributes to a victim's suicide attempt.(Photo: Amy Wu/Poughkeepsie Journal)

Serino said she instantly took to Cannon’s story calling her a “mom on a mission. There are signs on every light pole in Hyde Park talking about Bailey’s Law.”

An increase in penalties

On Monday, Cannon, Serino, local leaders and family and friends of Bailey, announced the proposed bill at a news conference in downtown Poughkeepsie.

Bailey’s Law would increase the penalties to those who endanger those who are disabled or vulnerable such as the elderly when it significantly contributes to a victim’s suicide attempt.

“This is something that could have been so prevented…Our vulnerable people should not be put in those situations, and this should never have to happen to another parent again,” Serino said.

Serino submitted the bill to Senate and is approaching assembly members to carry the bill, she said.

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Sen. Sue Serino (R-Hyde Park) has taken Bailey's Law to the Assembly and is approaching assembly members for their support.(Photo: Amy Wu/Poughkeepsie Journal)

Going forward

“I am hoping it will follow in the heels of the DWI campaign,” said Cannon. “I am hoping it cannot just create a bill, but social awareness.”

She’s also launched a website baileysbridges.org, a Facebook page @DearBailey, and collected signatures for a petition for the bill. Cannon has over 7,000 signatures and her goal is collect over 100,000 signatures. She is seeking more support from elected officials.

“We cannot bring my son back but maybe we can prevent this devastation from happening to another,” Cannon said.

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The petition for Bailey's Law has garnered more than 7,000 signatures so far.(Photo: Amy Wu/Poughkeepsie Journal)